Friday Night: Wizards at Thunder
Nov 19 2009 9:58PM
The Thunder will face the Washington Wizards tonight coming off its third set of back-to-back games, and enters the game with a 6-6 mark, which included a win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
The Thunder will head back on the road this weekend when it faces the defending NBA champion L.A. Lakers on Sunday and visits the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
This is the first of two matchups against the Wizards, who were picked to be one of the Eastern Conference’s most improved teams with the return of guard Gilbert Arenas, the hiring of head coach Flip Saunders and the addition of guard Randy Foye and forward Mike Miller. But injuries have slowed the Wizards, who recently snapped their six-game losing streak with a win against Cleveland on Wednesday.
About the Wizards
Location: Washington, D.C.
Homecourt: Verizon Center
Founded: 1961-62 Chicago Packers; 1962-63 Chicago Zephyrs; 1963-64 Baltimore Bullets; 1973-74 Capital Bullets; 1974-75 Washington Bullets; 1997-98 Washington Wizards
Thunder vs. Wizards series: 1-1
Did You Know? Wizards assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr.’s father, Hall of Famer Wes Unseld, was a key member of Washington’s only championship team in 1977-78.
One to Watch
Etan Thomas. This was a no-brainer. Every player gets up for his former team, regardless if he admits it or not. While the record shows that Thomas has been employed by four NBA teams, he has not suited up for anyone but the Wizards prior to being traded to the Thunder from Minnesota this offseason. And most of Thomas’ former teammates are still with the Wizards. Thomas, who was active in the D.C. community, averaged 6.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 51.6% shooting in seven seasons in Washington. He’s been a key reserve for the Thunder this season.
Fun to Watch
Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas. The man who goes by the nickname of Agent Zero and Hibachi is back and healthy. Injuries have kept Arenas from playing against the Oklahoma City franchise since the 2006-07 season. Arenas, former NBA All-Star, is still finding his way in Saunders’ system. Long known as a prolific scorer, Arenas is now the Wizards’ point guard, where he is still finding an identity. Through nine games, Arenas was the team’s leading scorer at 23.4 points, which included 44.4% shooting, to go with a team-high 6.3 assists. Both Russell Westbrook and Thabo Sefolosha could see time guarding Arenas.
Contact Chris Silva
The Thunder will head back on the road this weekend when it faces the defending NBA champion L.A. Lakers on Sunday and visits the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
This is the first of two matchups against the Wizards, who were picked to be one of the Eastern Conference’s most improved teams with the return of guard Gilbert Arenas, the hiring of head coach Flip Saunders and the addition of guard Randy Foye and forward Mike Miller. But injuries have slowed the Wizards, who recently snapped their six-game losing streak with a win against Cleveland on Wednesday.
About the Wizards
Location: Washington, D.C.
Homecourt: Verizon Center
Founded: 1961-62 Chicago Packers; 1962-63 Chicago Zephyrs; 1963-64 Baltimore Bullets; 1973-74 Capital Bullets; 1974-75 Washington Bullets; 1997-98 Washington Wizards
Thunder vs. Wizards series: 1-1
Did You Know? Wizards assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr.’s father, Hall of Famer Wes Unseld, was a key member of Washington’s only championship team in 1977-78.
One to Watch
Etan Thomas. This was a no-brainer. Every player gets up for his former team, regardless if he admits it or not. While the record shows that Thomas has been employed by four NBA teams, he has not suited up for anyone but the Wizards prior to being traded to the Thunder from Minnesota this offseason. And most of Thomas’ former teammates are still with the Wizards. Thomas, who was active in the D.C. community, averaged 6.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 51.6% shooting in seven seasons in Washington. He’s been a key reserve for the Thunder this season.
Fun to Watch
Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas. The man who goes by the nickname of Agent Zero and Hibachi is back and healthy. Injuries have kept Arenas from playing against the Oklahoma City franchise since the 2006-07 season. Arenas, former NBA All-Star, is still finding his way in Saunders’ system. Long known as a prolific scorer, Arenas is now the Wizards’ point guard, where he is still finding an identity. Through nine games, Arenas was the team’s leading scorer at 23.4 points, which included 44.4% shooting, to go with a team-high 6.3 assists. Both Russell Westbrook and Thabo Sefolosha could see time guarding Arenas.
Contact Chris Silva
